Integrative Medicine

Children going through cancer treatment have a lot to cope with.  And integrative medicine may offer some relief. This practice includes natural, mind-body approaches to care for patients and their families. And while integrative medicine won’t replace standard medical treatment like radiation or chemotherapy, it can be used alongside it to help improve patients’ quality of life.

So Exactly What Is Integrative Medicine

There are many integrative practices that may help children during treatment. The National Cancer Institute’s Children with Cancer A Guide for Parents highlights a lot of these therapies. Distraction, relaxation techniques, guided imagery, laughter, and massage therapy are just a few of these practices. And like other medical decisions, it’s important to check with your child’s doctor before using any of these. Some may interfere with medical treatments or cause reactions or side effects.

Distraction Therapy – The Core of Mikey’s Way Foundation

Integrative medicine can play an important role in the wellbeing of pediatric cancer patients.  Mikey’s Way Foundation utilizes distraction therapy as the core of its Foundation. Mikey Friedman, founder of Mikey’s Way often wrote and spoke about the need to help pediatric cancer patients cope during treatment. He knew they needed help with, “the most difficult burden: the psychological challenges of cancer treatment.”

Mikey often used a hand-held video game system to help him combat the “toxic boredom.” His determination to help kids cope with cancer led him to create Mikey’s Way Foundation. With the help of Mikey’s Way, other children could now benefit from distraction through the use of electronic devices. They too, could find relief by taking their minds off the pain, fear, and loneliness.

Distraction Techniques

When you distract your child, you are turning their attention to something other than the pain or fear that they may be experiencing.  For example, we often rock or cuddle babies to provide distraction. For older playing games, listening to music, reading, or watching movie can provide distraction. You’ve probably used this technique yourself without realizing. Often when you watch TV, read a book or listen to music, it is to take your mind off something.

According to the American Cancer Society, “Any activity that you have to focus on can be used for distraction. Distractions can be internal, such as counting, singing to yourself, praying, or repeating statements in your head such as “I can cope.” They explain that distractions can also be external like needle work, model building, or painting. And reading a good book might draw one’s mind away from the pain. Watching TV, listening to music, and using gaming systems are also good distractions. And they also suggest, “Slow, rhythmic breathing can be used along with distraction to help you relax.”

Distraction May Lower Pain, Fear and Nausea

The National Cancer Institute agrees that distraction may help lower pain, fear and nausea.  They state, “Distraction therapy is a method that can help a child take her mind off painful or unpleasant things by providing a pleasant sensation or interesting activity to capture her attention.”  

The important thing is to find and use safe, effective activities that will offer distraction for your child. By using distraction tactics, children may find some relief from the pain, loneliness, or anxiety that they may experience during cancer treatment.

References

1. Non-medical Treatments for Pain, American Cancer Society, January 3, 2019.
2. Children With Cancer A Guide for Parents, National Cancer Institute, NH Publication No. 15-2378 September 2015.